TREE TRENCHES

A nature-based cooling solution that uses stormwater to expand and strengthen our urban canopy

MyRWA, in collaboration with the cities of Everett, Chelsea, and Melrose, is working on a project to increase the number of street trees and reduce flooding by designing and installing tree trenches in these cities. Both Everett and Chelsea’s climate resilience plans identify “Plant[ing] trees in places with high levels of heat (Urban Heat Islands)” as a priority.  Melrose’s plan prioritizes green infrastructure to mitigate flooding risk from extreme precipitation. This two-year project, funded through the state Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, continues regional efforts to decrease dangerous urban heat islands and reduce flooding in vulnerable neighborhoods.

How do tree trenches work?

Tree trenches work by directing water from impervious surfaces in the surrounding blocks toward a tree. On the surface, the tree trench will look like a street tree pit. But, below the tree, there will be a storage and infiltration space which will store runoff, water the tree, and recharge groundwater. In addition to decreasing tree mortality, these tree trenches are likely to provide co-benefits like increasing tree canopy, cooling neighborhoods, providing habitat, improving water quality, improving air quality, and increasing tree survivability.

PROJECT GOALS:

This project has two phases:

Year 1:

1. Design of a low-cost tree-basin/trench based on previous tree models applied in other cities 

2. Public engagement to prioritize locations and optimize the design 

3. Desktop analysis and field visits to identify locations optimized for cooling vulnerable populations, while maximizing co-benefits

Year 2:

1. Installation of 25 trenches across Everett, Melrose, and Chelsea

2. Outreach projects across the Mystic River watershed to share results and lessons learned from the project

Get Involved

Join the tree trenches team at an upcoming outreach event in Chelsea, Everett, or Melrose learn more about tree trenches and to help shape the locations and prioritization of trees in your neighborhood.

Community SURVEY

We are gathering community input about the existing tree canopy in your neighborhood, where trees are needed, and how important the co-benefits of tree trenches are to your community. You can fill out a short survey to get your voice heard below.

Project Team

Marja Copeland, Mystic River Watershed Association (marja.copeland@mysticriver.org)

Isaiah Johnson, Mystic River Watershed Association (isaiah.johnson@mysticriver.org)

Andy Hrycyna (andrew.hrycyna@mysticriver.org)

Natalia Bayona (natalia.bayona@mysticriver.org)

City of Everett

City of Melrose

City of Chelsea